Girl, 16, found dead in Ladysmith trail area

Police say accident, not foul play, suspected in death of Kaitlin Brooke Heidelbach

A 16-year-old girl who was reported missing overnight in Ladysmith, B.C., has been found dead, police have confirmed.

The body of 16-year-old Kaitlin Brooke Heidelbach was found in the Twin Falls trail area just before 9:30 a.m. PT after she was reported missing at 12:10 a.m. early Friday morning.

Police said there is no indication foul play was involved, adding they believe Heidelbach's death was a hiking accident.

Heidelbach was last heard from at 6:30 p.m. Thursday when she sent a text to her father saying she was going for a walk and would be home in a couple hours, police said.

When Heidelbach did not return home, RCMP officers began a search of the Holland Creek and Heart Lake trail systems and the Twin Falls area at 12:50 a.m. early Friday morning.

Kaitlin Brooke Heidelbach was found dead on Friday, police have confirmed. (RCMP)

"It's an emotional time for 16-year-olds going back to school, entering Grade 11 and all these sorts of things, so this is certainly a very, very tragic and sad way to start the year," said RCMP Cpl. Darren Lagan.

Police say they will be providing a victim service program to help family, friends and classmates at the private school Heidelbach attended in nearby Duncan.